Katko kicks off campaign tour at Post 188

Liverpool  Political pundits see November’s mid-term election as a referendum on Obamacare.

John Katko, the Republican candidate for Congress in our 24th District, thinks the election will be much more than that. He looks at it as a chance for voters to lodge their objections to the overall ineffectiveness of the federal government.

“It’s plain to see that Washington just isn’t working,” Katko has said. “Massive debt and unsustainable spending, gridlock and threatened default [have created an] uncertainty that’s left companies unwilling to hire new employees.”

Katko, a former federal prosecutor who is challenging incumbent Democratic Rep. Dan Maffei, promises to “get the job done right.” His platform promotes controlled spending, reduced taxes and strengthening the Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Appears here May 22

The GOP challenger kicks off his “listening tour” of the 24th District right here in Liverpool when he appears at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at American Legion Post 188 on South Cypress St.

“John will be going throughout the district to discuss the issues and to find out exactly what’s on the minds of its citizens,” said Bill Tassone, the town of Salina GOP chairman. Tassone thinks Katko has a very good chance to defeat Maffei despite the congressman’s bulging campaign treasury.

Maffei has more than 10 times as much money as Katko. In their recent campaign finance filings, Maffei claimed about $1.1 million in cash on hand, as compared to Katko’s $101,000.

Tassone, however, says local voters clearly identify Maffei with President Obama and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and, no matter how much money he has, won’t be able to spend enough to alter those voter perceptions. “Chances are very good there will be a big Obamacare backlash,” Tassone said. “People are also upset about the government’s efforts to make $6 billion in cuts to veterans’ benefits.”